Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C) observes the Arakawa Lock Gate lockage from a boat in Tokyo on May 22, 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japan's lower house approves bill to pool funds for defense spending

TOKYO - Japan's lower house on Tuesday approved a bill creating a special pool of funds to substantially increase defense spending despite opposition lawmakers' resistance.

If enacted, the law will allow the government to set aside non-tax revenue derived from selling government assets or transferring money from its special accounts in the state budget, specifically for use in defense spending over multiple years.

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Japan slugger Yamakawa referred to prosecutors over rape allegation

TOKYO - World Baseball Classic winner Hotaka Yamakawa was referred to prosecutors Tuesday for allegedly raping a female acquaintance at a Tokyo hotel in November.

The 31-year-old power-hitting infielder from the Seibu Lions was removed from the team on May 12, a day after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in its online edition that he had assaulted a woman in her 20s and that the woman had filed a criminal complaint.

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S. Korean experts begin 2-day inspection of Fukushima nuclear plant

TOKYO - South Korean experts began a two-day inspection of the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power complex Tuesday in connection with Japan's plan to discharge into the sea treated water from the plant containing low concentrations of radioactive substances.

The 21 experts in fields such as radiation and nuclear reactors intend to share the outcome of their inspection with the South Korean public, amid concern about the potential impact of the discharge on the ocean environment.

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Russian PM starts China visit, vows to deepen economic ties

BEIJING - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin began Tuesday a two-day official visit to China, vowing to deepen bilateral economic ties, in an apparent bid to show the two countries' unity after Group of Seven leaders issued a stern warning against them in Hiroshima.

The premier told the Russia-China Business Forum in Shanghai that Western nations have levied sanctions on an unprecedented scale on Moscow since last year to "destroy our economy," but "none of the things our critics dreamed of happened," according to Russian news agency Sputnik.

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Japan seeks 2032-2033 U.N. Security Council nonpermanent membership

TOKYO - Japan has filed its candidacy for a vote to join the U.N. Security Council as a nonpermanent member for a two-year term starting 2032, the top government spokesman said Tuesday.

In January this year, the country began its current stint as a nonpermanent member of the 15-member council, a post it has served a record 12 times, with intervals of two to six years between each stint. But it will not assume a seat again until 2031, as India and Indonesia have declared their candidacies for earlier terms.

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Japan's ruling party OKs plan to expand scope of skilled worker visa

TOKYO - Japan's ruling party on Tuesday approved a government proposal to expand the scope of a blue-collar skilled worker visa that effectively allows holders to live in the country indefinitely.

In a possible major shift in the country's foreign labor policy, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government is expected to formally endorse the plan next month in response to calls from the business community seeking to secure human resources amid a chronic labor shortage.

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Japan to enforce crypto anti-money laundering steps from June

TOKYO - Japan's Cabinet decided Tuesday to enforce stricter anti-money laundering measures from June 1 to trace cryptocurrency asset transactions, bringing its legal framework in line with global standards.

Japan revised relevant laws in December after its anti-money laundering steps were deemed insufficient by the Financial Action Task Force, an international standard-setting financial watchdog.

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FOCUS: Biden leaves Hiroshima with slight change in tone on China

HIROSHIMA - U.S. President Joe Biden's trip to Hiroshima has revealed both strengths and shortcomings of his administration's Indo-Pacific policy, with subtle changes in its stance toward China detected if looked carefully.

As widely expected, the Group of Seven summit and a host of meetings held on the margins were filled with messages opposing China's military and economic actions disrupting the status quo.

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Video: Waste picking for fun in Okinawa